Threshold plate for railway cars



DOKE 2,543,402

2 Sheets-Sheet l THRESHOLD PLATE FOR RAILWAY CARS Feb. 27, 1951 FiledMarch 15, 1946 Feb. 27 1951 E. G. DOKE THRESHOLD PLATE FOR RAILWAY CARS2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15, 1946 mmmmm Patented Feb. 27, 1951UNITED STATES FATENT OFFlCE THRESHOLD PLATE FOR RAILWAY CARS Ernest G.Hoke, Winnetka, 111., assignor to Mac- Lean-Fogg Lock Nut Company,Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 15, 1946,Serial No. 654,545

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to threshold plates for railway cars, andmore particularly to such threshold plates adapted to installation onrailway freight cars including those having channel type side sills.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending applicationfor United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 559,365, filed October 19,1944, now Patent Number 2,429,182, dated October 14, 1947, and entitledThreshold Plates for Railway Cars.

Variations of structural details of different standard types of railwaycars make desirable the provision of threshold plates and installationstherefor which are well suited to application and use on those carstructures without the necessity of modifications or revisions. In thepresent instance, the disclosed forms of threshold plates are adaptedmaterially to strengthen the side sill structure of the car at themid-portion of its span where other reinforcement is minimized becauseof the door opening.

As one of its aspects, my present invention has for an object theprovision of improved threshold plates which may be permanently attachedto the side sills of railway cars without alteration of the side sillstructures, and which threshold plates are well adapted to use withchannel type side sills.

' It is another object of the invention to provide improved thresholdplate sectional shapes which, when utilized in conjunction with railwaycars having channel type side sills and permanently attached thereto,provide strong tubular reinforcements for the side sill extending acrossthe doorway.

A further object of my invention is to provide threshold plates of thetype referred to which have sectional shapes such that they do notoverlap or otherwise interfere with the mounting or removal of the floorboards of a railway car to which they are attached.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings in which similarcharacters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are two sheets:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section taken transversely of astandard railway freight car equipped with a threshold plate embodying apreferred form of my invention, the section being taken at the lowerportion of the doorway and substantially at the position indicated byline l-l Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure depicted inFig. 1 with parts of the railway car structure shown in section, thesection in this instance being taken substantially on the line 22 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 1 andillustrating the adaptation of a threshold plate, of the general typeshown in Fig. 1, to a standard railway freight car of somewhat diiferentconstruction;

.Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view showing theadaptation of a modified form of my threshold plate to a railway carstructure in which the side sill flange is narrow;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view in which is depictedthe adaptation of another modified form of my threshold plate to arailway car structure having a narrow side sill flange and wherein anangle bracket is utilized for the support of the threshold plate;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view wherein I have illustrated amodified form of my threshold plate which is suited to use with carstructures having long floor boards and narrow side sill angle flanges;1

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view depicting a modification of mthreshold plate suited to adaptations similar to those of the form shownin Fig; 6, but which does not require removal of the floor boards forthe installation of the threshold plate; and

Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, are similar transverse sectional views offurther modified forms of my threshold plate wherein they are depictedin their adaptations to cars having side sill flanges of differentwidths and floor boards of different lengths.

In the exemplary embodiment of my present invention which is depicted inFigs. 1 and 2, I have shown a standard freight car construction whichincludes a channel type through running side sill 15 which has upper andlower flange portions 16 and I1, respectively, extending inwardly of thecar structure from an integral intervening web portion l8. A sidedoorway 19 for the car is defined longitudinally of the car by opposedand spaced door posts 20 which extend upwardly from positions along theouter surface of the web portion 18 of the side sill I5. A lower doortrack is provided by a longitudinally extending bracket 22 secured toand projecting outwardly from the outer surface of the side sill. Thedoor opening 19 is closed by a door (not shown) mounted for.

sliding movement longitudinally along the outer surface of the car to aposition of abutment with a conventional door stop 23. The side wall andsheathing construction of the car is of a type generally known inrailway car construction.

In the embodiment of my invention which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, floorboards 24 opposite the door opening are secured in position against theupper surface of the upper side sill flange 16 by bolted floor boardclips 25, which clips have end portions underlying the inner margin ofthe upper side sill flange I6.

It will be understood as the description progresses that in someinstances the inner end portion of the threshold plate is extendedinwardly beyond the inner end of the upper flange .of the side sill andthe clips 25 which hold the floor boards in place underlie that inwardlyextending portion of the threshold plate, rather than the upper flangeof the side sill. This form, one embodiment of which is shown in Fig. 4,is adaptable to threshold plates of the type shown in Fig. l, as well asmany of. the others which are depicted in the various views of thedrawings, and is uti lized where additional support for the ends of thefloor boards is desired. In some instances the floor boards adjacent thedoor opening are covered by a metal floor plate, such as 26.

My improved threshold plate 2'1, in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2,includes a top web 28, an inner vertical flange 2:9, and an inwardly anddownwardly extending outer flange 38, all of which are desirably formedintegrally by the bending of sheet metal stock. In its mounted position,the substantially plane upper surface of the top web 28 is horizontallongitudinally and transversely of the car. The length of the thresholdplate is such that it fits between the door posts 20, while its width issuch that it overlaps an outer side portion of the side sill and extendsoutwardly thereof to the outer surface of the door post structure.

To obviate the difficulties-of floor board removal which accompany theoverlapping of the floor boards by the inner end portion of a usual typeof threshold plate, the vertical inner flange 29 provides anon-overlapping abutment for the end surfaces of the floor boards Ed inaddition to supporting the inner edge of the threshold plate from theupper flange E6 of the side sill. When the threshold plate isformed'from sheet stock and theradius of curvature of the inner edge ofthe top web 28 causes the formation of a crack at the ends of the floorboards, that crack may be filled, as shown at 32 in Fig. l, by suitablematerial, such as car cement.

.For securing the threshold plate of Figs. 1 and 2 in place, vI prefer awelded seam, such as 33, along the inner edge of the abutting surfacesof the vertical inner flange 29 of the threshold plate and the upperside sill flange it. :Also, the downwardly and inwardly extending outerflange 39 of the threshold :plate is disposed in acute angularrelationship to the top web 28 and has an end surface which abuts and iswelded'to the outer surface of the side sill web is below the generalplane of the upper side sill flange 16, as depicted at 34. To furtherstrengthen and mutually brace the threshold plate and car structures, Iprefer to weld the outer end portions of the top web 28 and outer flange38 to the outer door post structure, as shown at and 36, respectively.

In this and in other illustrative formsof my improved threshold plateshown herein, the welded seams 33 and 34 serve securely to hold andsupport the threshold plate. The welded seams may be continuous orintermittent to provide joints such that a laterally closed tubularreinforcing structure extends longitudinally of the side sill at thedoor opening. Such reinforcement is particularly desirable at the dooropening because of its usual location near the midportion of the sidesill span and because of the lack of other reinforcing structure at thedoor opening.

Fig. 3 illustrates the adaptation of a threshold plate, of substantiallythe same type as that shown in Fig. 1, to a freight car structure inwhich the floor boards extend to positions aligned with the innersurface of the car wall 37. As in the instance of the previouslydescribed threshold plate, a threshold plate 38 in Fig. 3 has a top web39, an inner vertical flange l9 and an outer flange '42 which extendsinwardly and downwardly from the outer edge of the top web 39. The endsurface of the vertical flange ill rests against the upper side sillflange l5 and the inner end of the outer flange 3.2 abuts the webportion 18 of the side sill. Both flanges of the threshold plate aresecured to the side sill by welded seams 43 and M which extendlongitudinally along the adjacent surfaces. In addition, the ends of thetop web 39 are welded to the door posts by seams, such as 35, and theends of the outer flange 42 are welded to the door posts by seams, suchas 45. When secured in the position described, the top web 39 of thethreshold plate is substantially horizontal and practically flush withthe floor board surraces.

The vertical inner flange 4c is substantially flush with the innersurface of the carwall and provides a non-overlapping abutment for the,ends of the floor boards 24. As in the instance of the previouslydescribed threshold plate assembly, a substantially continuous andtubular reinforcing structure is provided between the door posts by thethreshold plate and a corner portion of the channel type side sill.

For the purpose of illustrating the remaining modifications of mypresent invention, certain portions of the details of the freight carstructure have been eliminated from the various views, since they donot-seem essential to the understanding of the use and adaptations ofthe various threshold plate sections described. It may be understoodthat the threshold plate in each instance is disposed at the dooropening and extends between the door posts of the car. Also, the ends ofthe top webs and flanges of the threshold plates may be welded to thedoor post structures of the car if such weld is desirable and if thedoor posts present metal surfaces which permit such welding.

The form of my threshold p1ate,'which is depicted in Fig. 4, is shown inits adaptation to a car structure in which a side sill "57 of thechannel type has a web portion 48 and a relatively narrow upper flangeportion E9. A threshold plate 50 includes a top web 52, an innervertical flange 53, and an inwardly and downwardly extending outerflange 54. Both flanges 53 and 54 rest against the upper surface of theupper side sill flange i9 near the inner and outer edges thereof tosupport the threshold plate. However, in this instance, and due to therelatively short inward extent of the upper side sill flange 59, thevertical flange 53 of the threshold plate is bent inwardl to provide aninwardly extending horizontal extension 55 for supporting the ends ofthe floor boards 24. The threshold-plate is secured in position bywelded seams 56 and 51 extending longitudinally along the inner andouter edges of the upper side sill flange 49.

Again, the threshold plate, together with a portion of the channel typeside sill, forms a tubular reinforcement extending between the doorposts.

In order to maintain the flush relationship of the floor boards at thedoor with the rest of the floor boards of the car, the ends of thosefloor boards are desirably notched, as at 58, to provide a recess intowhich the horizontal extension 55 projects. Since the lower surface ofthe horizontal extension is substantially flush with the lower surfaceof the floor boards, substantially flat clips 59 are used to secure thefloor boards in position. As in the previous forms, the vertical flange53 provides an abutment for the ends of the floor boards and the uppersurface is substantially flush with the horizontal top web of thethreshold plate.

In Fig. 5, I have illustrated an adaptation of my threshold plate to arailway car structure in which a channel type side sill 59 has avertical web portion 62 and a narrow upper flange portion 63, and inwhich a longitudinally extending support angle 64 is secured to the sidesill web so that its upper surface projects outwardly flush with theupper flange. The floor boards, in this instance, normally extendoutwardly to or beyond the edge of the angle flange. However, inadapting this car structure to my threshold plate, the flOOr boardlength is limited to the extent that they overlap the side sill onlyenough to provide adequate support at their ends. The remainin spaceabove the side sill and supporting angle is covered by the threshold 7plate.

A threshold plate 65 has a top web 66 and integrally formed inner andouter flanges 67 and 63, respectively. The inner flange 67, as inpreviously described forms, is substantially vertical and provides anabutment for the ends of threshold plate is firmly secured in positionand forms a part of a reinforcing structure of tubular section.

The top web 66 presents a substantially plane upper surface which ishorizontally disposed and substantially flush with the upper surfaces ofthe floor boards 24!. As in the forms disclosed in Figs. 1 and 3, thefloor boards are clamped to the marginal portion of the upper side sillflange by bolted clips 25.

The modified form of my threshold plate, which is depicted in Fig. 6, mabe utilized in instances similar to those in which the threshold plateof Fig. 5 is adaptable, except that it does not necessitate the use ofthe longitudinally extending supporting angle 64. A side sill 12 of thechannel type has a vertical web 13 and an integral inwardly extendingupper flange portion '74. The floor boards 2 being long, there is only avery small space for the mounting of the threshold plate along the outeredge of the upper side sill flange.

A threshold plate 15 has a horizontally disposed top web 16 and an innervertical flange H, the lower edge of which rests against the narrowouter edge portion of the upper side sill flange. Thus, as in previousinstances, the inner vertical flange provides a non-overlapping abutmentfor the ends of the floor boards and the horizontal top web issubstantially flush with the upper floor board surfaces.

At its outer edge the threshold plate 15 is bent downwardly to providean inwardly and downwardly extendin outer flan e 18. The latter flangeis bent to provide a vertical extension 19 which abuts the outer surfaceof the side sill web portion 13 and is secured thereto by fasteningmeans, such as rivets 80, although it may be welded along its lower edgeto the side sill web portion. The threshold plate is additionallysecured to the side sill by a welded seam 82 exteding along the innersurface of the vertical flange 11. In this form the substantiallytubular transverse reinforcing section is provided by the thresholdplate itself although the edges thereof are secured together through theside sill angle.

In the modified form of my invention, which is depicted in Fig. '7, thestructure is quite similar to that shown in Fig. 6 and similar referencenumerals refer to like parts. This form, however, permits the mountingof thethreshold plate on a railway car without necessarily requiring theremoval of the floor boards.

A threshold plate 83 has a horizontal outwardly, extending top web 84,from the inner edge of which a vertical flange 85 extends downwardly andoverlaps the outer side sill web portion 73. It is secured to that webportion by fastening means, such as rivets 89, although it may be weldedin place. An inwardly and downwardly extending outer flange 8-3 formedintegrally with the outer portion of the top web 84 has an end surfaceabutting the outer surface of the vertical flange 85. The flanges aresecured together to form a closed tubular structure by a welded seam 81.Since the floor boards 24 do not extend to the outer edge of the sidesill and the vertical flange of the threshold plate is flush with thatouter edge of the side sill, the space between the ends of the floorboards and the vertical flange of the threshold plate is desirablyfllled at 88 with a material such as that commonly known as car cement.

The modified form of my threshold plate which is disclosed in Fig. 8, isadapted to mounting upon a side sill structure, such as that illustratedin Figs. 6 and '7, although it is shown in association with floor boardswhich are somewhat shorter so that they leave a space between their endsand the outer edge of the upper side sill flange portion 14.

A threshold plate 89 has a horizontally disposed top web 90substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the floor boards 24, andan inner vertical flange 92 depending from the inner edge of the top webto provide an abutment for the ends of the floor boards. Along the outeredge of the top web 90, a downwardly and inwardly extending outer flange93 includes angularly disposed portions 94 and 95 which, in theparticular form disclosed, present a substantially rectangular section.From the inner portion of the outer flange 93 an integral downwardlyextending flange portion 96 abuts the outer surface of the side sill webportion I3 and is secured thereto by fastening means, such as rivets 80.The inner vertical flange 92 is secured to the upper side sill flange Mby a welded seam 9 t asaeg roe The tubular transverse section, in thisform, is provided by portions of both the threshold plate and the sidesill. As in theforms of my threshold plates shown in Figs. 1 and 3, theinner vertical flange provides a floor board abutment spaced inwardly ofthe outer edge of the upper side sill flange portion.

In Fig. 9, I have disclosed a modified form of my invention which isadapted to use on car structures having a relatively wide upper sidesill flange. A side sill 98 of the channel type has a vertical webportion 99 and a relatively wide upper flange IE6. The lateral extent ofthe floor boards is such that room is provided at the outer end of theupper side sill flange'lfifl for the mounting of the threshold plate. Inaddition, the upper side sill flange provides a support for the outerends of the floor boards, although such support might be provided by aninner extension of the threshold plate, as shown in Fig. 4.

A. threshold plate I02 has a substantially horizontal top web I03, atthe inner edge of which is a depending vertical flange EM. In this form,as in others, the vertical flange I 84 is secured to the upper side sillflange portion I50 by a longitudinally extending welded seam I05 andserves as an abutment for the of the floor boards 24. Along, anddepending from its outer edge, a downwardly and inwardly extending outerflange I06 serves as an outer support for the threshold plate. The formof the outer flange I66 might be varied to other shapes, such as thatindicated in dot and dash lines at IllC-a. At its inner end the outerflange I33 has a horizontal extension IE3! which rests against the uppersurface of the upper side sill flange portion. A longitudinallyextending welded seam I88 secures the lower portion of the outer flangeI 93 to the outer edge of the upper side sill flange portion I80.

As a variation of the forms of my invention, depicted in Figs. 8, and 9,that shown in Fig. 10 is adapted to use with short floor boards andprovides a floor board supporting extension so that it may be used witha side sill having a relatively narrow upper flange. As illustrated, achannel type side sill IE9 has a vertical web portion I It and aninwardly extending upper flange portion i I2.

A threshold plate H3 has a horizontally disposed top web H4, at theedges of which are integral outer and inner vertical flanges HE and II6, respectively, and which outer vertical flange II5 carries anintegral and inwardly extending base portion I I3 adapted to restagainst the upper surface of the upper side sill flange portion H2. Theextent of the base portion H8 is such that it crosses the end of theinner vertical flange H6 and projects beyond the inner end of the upperside sill flange to provide a'floor board support. At its inner end, thebase portion H3 may be stiffened longitudinally by the addition of adownwardly formed edge flange, as indicated in dotted lines at I20.

As an alternative form, the shape of the outer flange H5 may be varied,as indicated in dot and dash lines at Iifia. In either instance, thethreshold plate is secured to the side sill by a longitudinallyextending welded seam I22 along the outer edge of the upper side sillflange portion II2. Preferably, the inner vertical flange III is securedto the base portion IIS by a welded seam I23 extending along the loweredge of that inner flange.

Like the form shown in Fig. 9, that shown in Fig. 11 is adapted to usein car structures having a relatively wide upper side sill flange andfloor boards which are relatively short. A channel type side sill I24has a vertical web portion I25 and an inwardly extending upper flangeportion I26. A threshold plate I21 includes a horizontal top web I28return bent at its outer edge to provide a projecting lip I29, from theinner edge of which lip a downwardly extending flange I30 overlaps theupper margin of the side sill web portion I25. At the inner edge of thetop web I28 is a depending vertical flange I32, the lower portion ofwhich is formed to provide an inwardly projecting horizontal extensionI33 providing a floor board support. Welded seams I34 and I35 extendingalong the lower edge of the downwardly extending flange I30 and alongthe inner edge of the upper side sill flange portion I26, respectively,serve to secure the threshold plate to the side sill.

In the installation of the various forms of threshold plates disclosed,it is also desirable that the inward extent of the threshold platesshall be such that standard or uniform lengths of floor boards are usedthroughout the cars upon which they are installed. Thus, with thevariations in railway car structures which are encountered, variousforms of threshold plates are desirable in different instances to suitthe car structures and the desired results of installation.

Thus, in instances such as those depicted in Figs. 1 and '3, in whichthe door posts project outwardly of the side sill, it is desirable thatthe threshold plate extend outwardly to the lateral limit of the doorposts as well as extending inwardly to provide an abutment for the endsof the floor boards. In such instances the proportions and dimensions ofthe threshold plate are so related that the outward extent of thethreshold plate is greater than the portion thereof which ove'rlaps theside sill. The height of the threshold plate in each instance isdesirably such that its upper surfaces are substantially flush with theAs has been pointed out with respect to the various forms of mythreshold plate, I have provided, in each instance, a threshold platewhich not only serves as a non-overlapping abutment for the floorboards, but also permits the use of floor clips such that the floorboards may be removed or replaced without disturbing the thresholdplate. As has also been pointed out, each of the disclosed thresholdplates provides or serves as a part ofa tubular reinforcing sectionwhich extends across the door opening, where such reinforcement isparticularly desirable.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A threshold plate for application to a railway car structureincluding floor boards of pre determined thickness extending laterallyof the car between channel type side sills each having upper and lowerflange portions extending inwardly of the car from an integral verticalweb, and door openings defined longitudinally of the car by-door postsextending vertically from the side sills, and said threshold platecomprising, in combination, a web portion, an integral flange dependingfrom the inner edge of the web portion in substantially right angularrelationship thereto and of a height substantially equal to thethickness of the floor boards, and an outer edge flange integral withthe web portion and extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom, saidweb portion of the threshold plate being of a length to fit between saiddoor posts, and also having a width so related to the width anddisposition of the outer edge flange that when the inner flange restsagainst the upper surface of said upper flange of the side sill and theouter edge flange abuts the side sill at a position separated from theinner flange the web portion is horizontally disposed and extendsoutwardly be yond said vertical Web of the side sill, and said thresholdplate when secured to the side sill in the position defined formstherealong a reinforcement of tubular section extending between the doorposts.

2. A threshold plate for application to a, railway car structureincluding floor boards of predetermined thickness extending laterally ofthe car between channel type side sills each having upper and lowerflange portions extending inwardly of the car from an integral verticalweb, and door openings defined longiiudinally of the car by door postsextending vertically from the side sills, and said theshold platecomprising, in combination, a web portion, an integral flange dependingfrom the inner edge of the web portion in substantially right angularrelationship thereto and of a height substantially equal to thethickness of the floor boards, and an outer edge flange integral withthe web portion and having angularly disposed portions extendingdownwardly and inwardly therefrom, said web portion of the thresholdplate being of a length to extend across said door opening between saiddoor posts, the width of said web portion of the threshold plate and thewidth and extent of said outer edge flange being such that with thedepending inner flange abutting the upper surface of the upper flange ofthe side sill the outer edge flange abuts the web of the side sill whenthe web of the threshold plate is substantially horizontal, saidthreshold plate and side sill when secured together in the positiondefined forming a reinforcement of tubular section across the dooropening.

3. The combination with a railway car structure including floor boardsof predetermined thickness extending laterally of the car betweenchannel type side sills which each have upper flange portions extendinglaterally of the car from an integral vertical web, and door openingsdefined longitudinally of the car by door posts extending verticallywith respect to the side sills, of a threshold plate along the side sillfrom one door post to the other and comprising a horizontal top websubstantially flush with the top of the floor boards and overlying aportion of said upper flange, said top web extending outwardly beyondthe web portion of the side sill and having along its outer edge aflange pcrtion extending angularly, downwardly and inwardly therefrom,and a vertical flange depending from the inner edge of said top web andproviding support means through which the inner edge of the thresholdplate is supported from the upper flange portion of the side sill, saidvertical flange also providing an abutment for the ends of the floorboards, said outer flange portion of the threshold plate providing meansthrough which the outer edge of the threshold plate is supported, andsaid top web, vertical flange and outer flange portion of the thresholdplate forming parts of a single and laterally open tubular reinforcingstructure for the side sill between the door posts.

4. The combination with a railway car structure including floor boardsof predetermined thickness extending laterally of the car betweenchannel type side sills which each have upper and lower flange portionsextending inwardly of the car from an integral vertical web, and dooropenings defined longitudinally Of the car by door posts extendingvertically from the side sills, on a theshold plate along the side sillfrom one door post to the other and comprising a horizontal top websubstantially flush with the top of the floor boards and overlying aportion of said upper flange, said top web extending outwardly beyondthe web portion of the side sill and having along its outer edge aflanged portion extending downwardly and inwardly, and a vertical flangedepending from the inner edge of said top web and providing supportmeans through which the inner edge of the threshold plate is supportedfrom the upper flange portion of the side sill, said vertical flangealso providing an abutment for the ends of the floor boards and havingthereon an integral horizontal flange projecting inwardly of the upperflange portion of the side sill to provide a support for the ends offloor boards, said outer flange portion of the threshold plate providingsupport means through which the outer edge thereof is supported from aportion of the side sill, separated laterally of the side sill from saidvertical flange, and said top web, vertical flange and outer flangeportion of the threshold plate forming parts of a tubular reinforcingstructure for the side sill between the door posts.

ERNEST G. DOKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Greenwell et al. Sept. 29, 1942

